First-round upsets could be in cards

With the Flyers out of the playoff picture, thereís a little more time to focus on the overall postseason outlook this time around.

Something tells me itís going to be another not-according-to-form tournament, just as last yearís was when the eighth-seeded Los Angeles Kings went all the way to the championship.

Play began Tuesday night but action really gets into gear over the next couple days. Hereís how we see it playing out:

EAST

No. 1 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 8 New York Islanders: Pittsburgh is getting Sidney Crosby back, along with some other regulars, so the Islesí dream season comes to an end. Penguins in five games.

No. 2 Montreal Canadiens vs. No. 7 Ottawa Senators: Great Canadian battle with the Sens having an all-important edge in goaltending. Ottawa also plays tighter defense. Senators in seven.

No. 3 Washington Capitals vs. No. 6 New York Rangers: Since the Rangers were my preseason pick coming out of the East, Iíll stick with that. New York will put the brakes on Alex Ovechkin. Rangers in six.

No. 4 Boston Bruins vs. No. 5 Toronto Maple Leafs: Boston still has a lot of pieces left from that 2011 Stanley Cup team, including the coach (Claude Julien) and the captain (Zdeno Chara). Bruins in five.

WEST

No. 1 Chicago Blackhawks vs. No. 8 Minnesota Wild: The Wild made great advances this year with additions of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. But the Hawksí double threat of Pat Kane and Jon Toews are too much. Blackhawks in five.

No. 2 Anaheim Ducks vs. No. 7 Detroit Red Wings: Thereís a lot of veteran experience on the Red Wings and the Ducks played a little over their heads this year. Red Wings in seven.

No. 3 Vancouver Canucks vs. No. 6 San Jose Sharks: Two teams loaded with talent that always seem to underachieve in the playoffs. Letís go with a mild upset. Sharks in six.

No. 4 St. Louis Blues vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Kings: Blues were my upset choice to win the West this year so I have to stick with the old professor, Ken Hitchcock. Blues in seven.